Today is a day of great joy. Lent is over and we can enjoy the feast of Easter. Throughout the world, churches are garlanded with flowers, and Easter candles burn brightly. The newness and lightness of springtime resonate with the new hope offered by Jesus Risen from the Dead.  

At Easter we celebrate God’s love for us. Three days ago, on Good Friday, we remembered when Jesus died on the cross. He died to free us from sin and welcome us into a new life with him by baptism. Today we congratulate and rejoice with all those adults baptised last night at the Easter Vigil and those who received confirmation and Eucharist. They are the new green shoots in the Church.

Easter renews the gift of hope. It is the hope that death has been conquered and is not the end.

We can hope in the promise of eternal life with the saints in heaven. They praise and worship God.  

Easter deepens the gift of faith. With faith in Jesus, we can face suffering knowing that sickness, suffering and death are conquered by the Risen Christ. They are not the end. The light of Christ breaks into darkness.  

Easter invites us to love others. On Maundy Thursday Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and is a witness to service. We are invited to care and love others by attending to their needs and bringing solace and hope.  

Today we rejoice; Christ is risen from the dead. Happy Easter.